It is not uncommon for organisations to leap into new technology adoption, solution development and innovation activities without understanding why they are doing it (being the 'Amazon or Uber of...' does not count as a valid strategic reason). This often leads to failed programs and wasted resources at great cost to the business. We don't want our clients to fall into this trap.

Understanding 'the why', 'the what' and 'the how' before you commit to change.

Data, Tech & Innovation Strategy

Typically each has its own individual strategy talking about reducing silos and barriers etc - but they are completely interconnected - so why silo the strategies and create more silos you just strategised about removing?

Product Development Framework and Processes

Streamline how you develop and bring new products to market across your organisations, whilst ensuring you have a balanced portfolio between risk and reward.

Innovate Like a Start-up Workshop Series

Ever wanted to know how we produce next generation solutions 5x faster than traditional corporates?

Deep Dive Challenge Workshops

How are you making sure you are solving the real issues and not just the symptoms?

Case Study

Bringing
Actionable
Recommendations to
Revitalise
Innovation and
Entrepreneurship in the
Rail
Sector

"At last, a report from outside the bubble that tells the truth about innovation and reasearch - HackTrain's Barriers to Rail Innovation report tells it like it is. And what a brilliand piece of work it is."

Ian WalmsleyModern Railways

"Baig acknowledges that many findings may prove uncomfortable for the industry, but empasises that the subjective is to create the basis for discussion to resolve issues rather than appition any blame."

Why did we write it?

“We were supposed to talk about innovation and how it can magically solve all of our problems.

In reality… innovation is hard. It’s painful. And it’s costly – much like today’s railway! What we’ve learned over the last year is that technology isn’t the difficult part. It’s already out there, ready, waiting to be exploited. But what has been stopping it from being implemented? What is this seemingly insurmountable barrier that has stopped smart ticketing again and again? What is this unbreakable wall we have been facing when trying to prevent trains from being delayed? Just what is it that is preventing our railway from delivering a great experience?

That is why we decided to write this report. We wanted to pull the barriers out from the hole they are hiding in, for the entire world to see.

It is time we overcome and break them. Our children cannot go through the same crush today’s commuters go through every morning. Our families cannot have their holiday travels ruined by unexpected laterunning services. As rail professionals, we owe it to every passenger to not let this go on any longer.

Some of what you will read in this report will be painfully obvious, but a lot of it probably won’t. Some of the recommendations we’ve made will feel comfortable and safe to implement. But a lot of them may have you questioning whether we have our heads screwed on straight.

This report may bring joy. It may bring fear,but let us embrace whatever it brings.

For it is about opening up a discussion and creating a new movement – an important one that could very well be the turning point for our railway.

We hope you enjoy reading this report. It was certainly a lot of fun writing it!”

What did it take?

a full time project...

6 Monthsof work

60+ interviewsconducted

10 casestudies

6,000 hoursof work

The Impact

7 out of 13 recommendationsadopted by rail industry

DfT removed innovation funding from industry board which was the source of major barriers to innovation

Major TOCs now have innovation managers within their franchises and also innovation teams at an owning group level

DfT carried out research on data in rail and subsequently published the "Rail Data Action Plan"